Director of Construction and Modernization

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to assist the Chief Development Officer (“CDO”) to plan, manage, direct, review and implement the activities and operations of the Construction and Modernization divisions of the Development & Modernization Department (“Dev/Mod”) for the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (“HACP” or “Authority”). The incumbent will assist in coordinating Moving-to-Work plans and activities, promote private/public sector relationships that enhance the Authority’s goals and objectives related to real estate development and preservation of HACP’s existing stock, and promote economic development activities. All activities must support HACP’s mission, strategic goals and objectives.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The position’s duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of services. Other responsibilities, duties and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.

A. Department Management

• Assist CDO to manage the day-to-day work of the Department by assigning, planning, and reviewing work, evaluating work performance and completing performance evaluations, coordinating activities, maintaining standards, allocating personnel, selecting new employees, training, acting on employee problems, and recommending and implementing discipline;
• Assist the CDO to develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, performance objectives and standards, and reporting systems in conjunction with other departments of the Authority and with regulatory and funding agencies.
• Provide quality control of staff’s daily work products, deliverables, file systems and reports to ensure responsiveness, quality, and completeness; ensuring actions taken are with the end in mind of Zero Audit Findings.
• Assist the CDO to develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, performance objectives and standards, and reporting systems in conjunction with other departments of the Authority and with regulatory and funding agencies.
• Assist the CDO to utilize HACP’s audit proof Dev/Mod compliance system to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulatory requirements including, but not limited to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Federal Prevailing Wage Requirements, the Housing Authorities Act of Pennsylvania, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and all other relevant Federal, State, and Municipal codes, laws, and regulations.
• Oversee the administration of department records retention/long term storage program.
• Enter and monitor requisitions for payment.
• Oversee the administration and coordination of employee’s payrolls, vacation requests, and mileage reimbursements for approval.
• Oversee the Departmental Inventory Management.
• Oversee the Departmental Supplies Management.

B. Strategic Planning

• Assist the CDO to develop, implement, and evaluate the Development & Modernization department’s Capital Program, Moving-to-Work Program, private/public sector partnerships, and economic development programs, and deploy plans to most efficiently deliver services.
• Assist the CDO to direct, oversee, and participate in the development of department work plans including planning, organizing, and implementing all development and modernization projects.
• Assist in the preparation of Project Implementation Plans that set and track the timelines for each project to be executed to ensure that department projects are implemented on time and within budget.
• Assist CDO to manage HACP’s affiliates and/or instrumentalities such as ARMDC in its capital development and modernization activities.
• Assist CDO to develop and monitor operating and capital improvement budgets working with the Chief Financial Officer and the Executive Director.
• Assist CDO in preparation of Annual MtW Plans, 10-Year MtW Strategic Plans, annual capital budgets, and participate in planning and coordination meetings with various stakeholders at all levels for input to planning processes.
• Assist CDO to develop and recommend new approaches to service delivery within the areas of responsibility and assure coordination and communication Authority-wide.
• Assist CDO to develop and maintain cooperative relationships and regularly consults with resident organizations in a manner which demonstrates an understanding of, and respect for, diverse incomes and cultural backgrounds.
• Assist CDO as policy and program advisor to the Executive Director regarding construction and modernization activities, strategic planning, and other Authority-wide complex issues.  Delivers verbal presentations and written reports, and prepares resolutions in area of responsibility for Executive Director’s review and approval and presentation to HACP’s Board of Directors.

C. Construction and Modernization Projects Management

• Manage the Project Management Team within the Development and Modernization Department who are primarily responsible for planning and implementation of the long term preservation of HACP’s approximately 3,000 existing housing units within the City of Pittsburgh  including assisting the CDO to ensure that all modernization projects are implemented in accordance with HACP’s Procurement Policy and established Modernization Standard Operating Procedures (“Mod SOP”).
• Assist CDO to manage the Project Management Team which has responsibilities ranging from project initiation, design process management, procurement of contractors and various approval processes to construction administration, ensuring that work is being completed according to contract drawings/specifications and HUD General conditions and various requirements including payment requests reflect actual work completed, change order analysis, schedule monitoring and contract closeout to ensure that all assigned projects are implemented timely.
• Assist CDO to manage the Technical team which has primary responsibility for field visits and development of scopes of work for projects, participates in strategic planning, performs all design reviews, constructability and code analyses and reporting, baseline construction schedules, and independent cost estimates, technical support and assistance, as needed, in monitoring work progress and preparation of daily inspection reports or construction management reports, assistance to resolve technical issues, review change orders and contract disputes for all projects emanating from the department.
• Maintain aggregate annual change orders below 5% by reinforcing department process and procedures from design through project implementation and ensuring that department staff and their management of outside A/E firms exercise enhanced due diligence to minimize change orders.

D. Other Duties as Assigned

• Manage construction and modernization projects as assigned by CDO.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Education and/or Experience

Graduate level Degree (PHD/JD/MS) or other advanced degree in business administration, Finance, public administration or other related field and a minimum of 10 years of direct experience in housing development under complex HUD regulations for Mixed Finance deals regulated by 24 CFR Part 905 subpart F and community development activities. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.  Must have HUD and/or PHA related work experience.  Must possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and be insurable under the Authority’s plan. 

 

Knowledge

Mastery of Code of Federal Regulations including Title 24: Housing and Urban Development and Title 2: Grants and Agreements, mastery of construction project management, planning and implementation of new development and modernization construction projects, management of Development, Modernization, and Technical teams for architectural/engineering design processes, excellent understanding and implementation of procurement processes under 2 CFR 200 formerly 24 CFR 85.36, and building code compliance.

 

Skills and Abilities

Must be skilled in research, project planning and implementation with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and excellence in negotiating, public speaking, writing, organization, customer service, budgeting, critical thinking, and complex problem solving.  Must have good professional judgment and decision making.  Must be highly skilled in communicating highly technical information to non-technical audiences and performing duties in a variety of environments and with varying groups of people.

 

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, the employee must have the ability to develop and analyze development and operating budget/proforma, plan and manage the entire planning/implementation process of housing and community development projects, prepare funding/grant applications, and manage the negotiation process for a variety of contracts and agreements for development projects.  Candidate must have strong computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and experience with creating and maintaining complex spreadsheets. Must have the ability to learn other computer software programs as required.

 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position and occasionally required to travel to various Authority properties and other offsite locations. Daily movements include hand functions such as handling/fingering/gripping/grasping; motions such as sitting and standing, operating computers and other office equipment, moving about the office, and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must occasionally transport up to 30 pounds.

 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Position generally works in an office environment.

Position occasionally visits Authority properties, which may cause the employee to experience a range in temperatures and other weather conditions. Indoors and outdoors in dry, wet, hot, cold, and windy conditions may be experienced. The noise level may be loud and the environment may be more hazardous due to hazardous materials and heavy tools/machines than a standard office environment.

Employees must have access to 24 hour reliable internet service. Employees must also have reliable transportation to and from work, as well as, to get to and from multiple HACP locations based on business needs and assignments.

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.